A multi-scenario evaluation of the energy transition mechanism in the Philippines towards decarbonization

The Philippines relies heavily on fossil fuels for energy, posing environmental issues. To counter this, the study suggests increasing the use of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. By optimizing the electricity supply mix, the study shows that coal usage can be reduced by 37.23%, with solar power accounting for 20.07% and wind power accounting for 8.83% without using Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). By incorporating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and scaling up the utilization of solar and wind power, which is aligned with the country's 2030 target, coal consumption can be reduced by 30.44%. However, transmission expansion may have limited effects due to the country's archipelagic nature. Therefore, a decentralized approach is necessary to minimize coal usage and encourage renewable energy sources. The study uses linear programming optimization methods to explore scenarios that can mitigate climate change by increasing solar and wind power use, reducing coal usage, and investigating the benefits of transmission line expansion and energy storage integration for enhancing grid flexibility.